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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., received public support from Senate Republicans as he faces an uncertain vote Friday on whether he will keep the role in the new Congress.
“My friend (Johnson) has done an incredible job in the House, and I’m glad he’s leading the way there as Congress looks forward to growing our economy and safeguarding our communities in the new year,” said Sen. John Kennedy , R. -La., to X.
Senators John Kennedy, left, and Bill Cassidy, right, publicly endorsed fellow Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson as speaker. (Reuters)
Johnson also won the support of the other member of the Louisiana Senate delegation, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. “I agree with President Trump that (Johnson) is the right man to lead. He is a committed conservative and a man of integrity,” he wrote in X, referring to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent endorsement.
During the last-minute fight over government spending last month, most Republican senators were careful not to call for Johnson’s replacement. However, that didn’t stop others, such as Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky. i Mike Lee, R-Utahof suggesting that someone else would do a better job.
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens as House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on April 12, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida . (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“Technically, the rules of the House, I don’t think you have to be a member of the House to be a speaker. And other people talked about it,” Paul told reporters in December. He noted that he has previously won lost votes for speaker, just like Trump.
“And so, we’ll leave it open to interpretation. I think, hey, seriously, Elon Musk is having an impact”.
Asked about his confidence in Johnson, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., dodged, saying, “I can’t make a decision. I don’t know him that well. He has to work with everybody else. No you need to work with us.”
Because the Speaker of the House will be selected solely by the lower chamber, few Republican senators are expected to intervene publicly. But the fact that some have it is remarkable in itself.
To be elected Speaker of the House, a member must obtain a majority of the votes cast. Depending on whether all members of the House are there, how many vacancies there are, and if someone decides to vote “present,” thereby lowering the majority threshold, Johnson could be in a situation where he can only afford to lose one vote of the GOP.
There are still several members of the House who have said they are not sure whether they will support Johnson.
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Speaker Mike Johnson, left, and MP Thomas Massie (Getty)
Also, at least one Republican lawmaker is a “no,” even after Trump’s endorsement.
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“I respect and support President Trump, but his support for Mike Johnson will work, as will his support for Speaker Paul Ryan,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote in X. “We’ve seen Johnson collaborate with Democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow up the budget.”
The speaker’s vote will take place on Friday to launch the new Congress.
